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I guess for me this argument runs the same course as the RAW versus geared lifting. I would rather embrace the new developments in lifting than try to recreate times past. If you're comparing natural and steroid physiques then that's something different but in terms of actual lifting, I will use all of the tools available.

I guess for me this argument runs the same course as the RAW versus geared lifting.

It's not an argument. It's a friendly discussion of the tools we use and why.

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I would rather embrace the new developments in lifting than try to recreate times past.

That's part of the point. Could you not find a way to work given a limited amount of tools?

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If you're comparing natural and steroid physiques then that's something different

No, thats not what the discussion is about. Exotic supps could still be employed with a minimalist approach. This is strictly about a period of time of going back to a very basic format as a learning tool, or exerience.

It's not an argument. It's a friendly discussion of the tools we use and why.

That's part of the point. Could you not find a way to work given a limited amount of tools?

No, thats not what the discussion is about. Exotic supps could still be employed with a minimalist approach. This is strictly about a period of time of going back to a very basic format as a learning tool, or exerience.

I think what Ltl is getting at, and what I'm thinking when I read is... why? The tools are there, why would we train like they aren't? For me this would be nostalgia just for the sake of it.

I have trained for 1 year while at Uni with nothing more than a barbell and weights. And I can tell you it sucked.

Just training isn't enough, just going to the gym isn't enough. What I would ask is can you give up the idea that discomfort in the gym is a bad thing? Can you give up the idea that sitting on your ass for recovery is the only way to get better? Can you give up the idea that recovery workouts are not just the realm of steroids abusing lifters? Can you give up the idea that if you don't dirty bulk, you're losing out on gains?

These are, I feel, questions which need to be asked. Are you really willing to do what it takes, or would you rather lay the blame on genetics and *life*? People inevitably talk a great game especially on the internet. Actually doing it is a different kettle of fish.

I'm pretty bare bones as it is. I user barbells and DBs, only machine I use is a lat pulldown, which could be replaced by pullups. Those would take some time to get good at, but they are the end goal. Also a leg press now that I think of it, but I've been running without that for over a year until recently. Honestly, I like being able to push my legs with it after finishing my squats.

I squat in a rack so I don't get squished when I fail. I would be more than happy to squat from stands with saw horses set at a height that works for safety.

I don't really see a reason to give up benching, but I also get in plenty of overhead pressing. With a custom made set of parallel bars for dips I could still hit my chest pretty well, but its hard to come by a set wide/tall enough to accommodate me. No one likes that sort of strain on the joints or banging their knees on the floor trying to get to depth.

It would be interesting to me to do nothing but deadlifts, drags, presses, and carries, with no barbells. Some of the strongest, most beastly people I know never touched an official weight in their life, but have done heavy labor on the farm since they were children. Then I look back at the Lock-up bench room in Taylorville and think that I can progress more quickly using the tools available.

I'll never go all machines, but I'm not likely to give up my barbells and safety apparatus. I like my yoke and tire. So what's stopping me from going all barbells and dumbbells? Nothing, I've already done it.